CREDITON and Tiverton residents will be pleased to hear that both of the towns cemeteries, which were padlocked in a shock move on Friday, April 3, were re-opened this afternoon, Wednesday, April 8.

Local residents took to social media during the afternoon of Friday, April 3, to express their shock and to question Mid Devon District Council as to why both Tiverton and Crediton Cemeteries had been padlocked without warning earlier that day.

Laura Conygham, who lives close to Crediton Cemetery, said: "It was the sound of grief that I heard from a young mother prevented from visiting her child’s grave, before I saw this notice.

"Now part of law enacted by central government but cruel to so many of us who will attempt to come to Crediton Cemetery on Good Friday, or just before, because Jesus’s death links directly to us.

"It is almost 30 years since the death of our four-year-old, but I resonanate with that sound.

"I gave her the tissue she asked me for and showed her another way into the cemetery that she can use any time."

Another Crediton resident took to social media to say she had been planning to visit a grave at Crediton on Sunday (April 5), the 20th anniversary since her loss.

She wrote: "Does this mean we can’t go to the grave? I was planning to do something extra special. It will be me sobbing at the cemetery gates if this is true."

One Tiverton resident, who wanted to visit the Tiverton cemetery to pay respects to a loved one found that the gates had been padlocked and notices had been placed on the gate.

He said on Twitter: "Mid Devon District Council, Why have you padlocked and closed the gates to the cemetery today?

"Surely this is one of the safest places to be. Safer than going to shops and walks.

"I see that the workmen are still in there digging up new pathways and the allotments are open.

"What’s the difference?"

During the evening of April 3, Mid Devon District Council issued the following statement: "In line with emergency legislation it is with deep sadness that we must close our Tiverton and Crediton cemeteries to members of the public, unless a funeral is taking place.

"We understand this will be a very distressing time for people who have lost loved ones but we must ensure the safety of everyone.

"This is a very anxious and uncertain time for us all, but as a local authority we must ensure we are abiding by the new measures put in place by the Government, to support their effort to minimise the impact of the Coronavirus in our communities.

"Thank you."

LEGISLATION CHANGE

This afternoon (Wednesday, April 8), Mid Devon District Council said it was pleased to announce that following new guidance, issued by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, it was able to reopen the cemeteries to the public with immediate effect.

In its statement MDDC said: “Last week emergency legislation was brought in by Central Government instructing all burial grounds and crematoriums to be closed, as part of a host of new measures brought in in relation to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“In line with this legislation Councils closed cemeteries to the public, except for burials.

“However, after seeking clarification about the legislation new guidance has been released and MDDC is pleased it can now safely reopen both Tiverton and Crediton cemeteries, in line with the updated rules.”

Andy Busby, Group Manager for Property Services, said: “The decision to close the cemeteries was something nobody wanted to do but we must follow the legislation set and all support the national effort to limit the spread of this virus.

“We know this decision affected many people and it was particularly saddening that we had to take this step at a time when we are all coping with such difficult circumstances.

“Many people got in touch with us, raising their concerns and we are pleased we can now support our communities in this way.”

MDDC reminded anyone visiting the cemeteries that they must abide by social distancing rules and no-one should be attending the cemeteries if they are showing any symptoms of illness.

It also said that anyone in the cemetery should also avoid the use of shared equipment such as watering cans.